Device for fastening the ends of tubes which support elements for processing textile fibers

ABSTRACT

A device for fastening on two driving chains the longitudinally split ends of tubes for supporting elements employed for processing textile fiber, wherein the device is constituted by a coupling member comprising two elements slidably mounted within the ends of two successive supporting tubes and joined together by a connecting element, one portion of the said member which projects from the extremities of the said supporting tubes being engaged on extensions of the pivot-pins of two links of the corresponding chain while a detachable locking member engaged on the said portion of the coupling member forms an axial distancepiece between the end faces of the extremities of the said supporting tubes and the corresponding chain-link face.

lJ'nite tates atent 91 11 1 3,735,45Q Herubel 1 51 May 29, 1973 [541DEVICE FOR FASTENING THE ENDS 937,663 10/1909 Wakefield ..59/78 OF TUBESWHICH SUPPORT ELEMENTS FOR PROCESSING Primary Examiner-Donald A. GriffinTEXTILE FIBERS Attorney-David Toren, Bernard X. McGeady and [75]Inventor: Jean-Fre'de'ric Herubel, Guebwiller, Leo Stanger France 57ABSTRACT [73] Asslgneez schluinberger & Guebwluer A device for fasteningon two driving chains the lon- Haut-Rhm, France gitud nally split endsof tubes for supporting elements [22] Filed: June 15, 1972 employed forprocessing textile fiber, wherein the [211 App]. 262999 device isconstituted by a coupling member comprismg two elements shdably mountedwithin the ends of u two successive supporting tubes and joined togetherApplication y Data by a connecting element, one portion of the said June29,1971 France ..7123620 member which Pml'ects fmm the extremities 0fthe said supporting tubes being engaged on extensions of 52 vs. C]..24/31 R, 19/236, 59/78 the P -P of two links of the correspondingchain 511 1m. (:1 .,F16 13/00 while a detachable locking member engagedon the [58] Field of Search ..19/236; 59/78; said portion of thecoupling member forms an axial 74/249 distance-piece between the endfaces of the extremities of the said supporting tubes and thecorresponding [56] References Cited chain-link face.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 324,734 8/1885 Seldner..74/249 DEVICE Emit FASTENING THE ENDS F TUBES WHICH SUPPORT ELEMENTSFOR PROCESSING TEXTILE mm This invention is concerned with means forfastening on two driving chains the longitudinally split ends of tubesfor supporting elements employed for processing textile fibers.

Tube systems of this type for supporting flexible elements used in theprocessing of textile fiber have been described, for example, inAmerican patent application Ser. No. 51,912 as filed on July 2, 1970 andnow US. Pat. No. 3,694,860 issued Oct. 3, 1972 and entitled Device withflexible elements for processing textile fibers.

Each flexible element for processing textile fiber is constituted, forexample, by a tubular flexible member which is flattened in such amanner that its crosssection has a shape which is close to that of afigure 8 and consequently determines two hollow lobes, one of which isthe fiber-processing lobe and the other is a fastening lobe which isinserted through a longitudinal mounting slot in a supporting tube andmaintained applied against the internal wall of the said tube by alocking rod placed in the bottom of the said fastening lobe, the widthof the longitudinal slot of the supporting tube being smaller than theexternal diameter of the fastening lobe fitted with its locking rod.

In the patent aforesaid, the means which were mentioned for fasteningthe ends of the said supporting tubes consisted of two diametricallyopposite longitudinal fastening slots formed in each tube extremity andengaged over a tongue which serves to retain the said supporting tubeand is equal in width to the external diameter of the tube while asliding sleeve fitted over the extremity of the said tube embraces thesaid tongue.

In point of fact, this design solution is attended by a number ofdisadvantages and, in particular a. The formation of the longitudinalfastening slots is a relatively difficult matter and calls for a numberof machining operations. MOreover, if these slots are not locatedstrictly in diametrically opposite relation to the longitudinal slot formounting the flexible element, the tube is unserviceable and thisconsequently increases the overall cost price of supporting tubes.

b. The tongues employed for retaining the supporting tubes are fixed onspecial links of the driving chains, with the result that these lattercannot be standard chains but must on the contrary be specially made andthis obviously increases their cost price.

0. The tongues for retaining the supporting tubes are riveted on speciallinks of the driving chains and this is not only a time-consumingoperation but entails the need for special tooling equipment, which alsoincreases the capital cost of the unit as a whole. A further dangerarises from the fact that the riveting may not be perfectly executed andthat the joint may consequently fail during operation, whereas any lackof operational safety cannot be tolerated in modern machines whichrotate at high speeds.

d. Provision is made for a fairly large number of parts and particularlyof special and complicated parts which constitute the fastening deviceaforesaid, with the result that the assembly is expensive, complicated,takes a long time to assemble and is unreliable.

e. The stresses applied to the flexible fiber-processing elements aretransmitted to the driving chains by means of a set of parts which aremore or less robust and are liable to be deformed, with the result thatthey can no longer work under excellent conditions, which may in turnlead to premature wear of components and even to failure of the apronassembly which is formed by the flexible elements.

f. The sliding sleeves which are fitted over the ends of the supportingtubes and embrace the retaining tongues constitute more or less reliablelocking means since they are liable to move and consequently to detachthe flexible element from its chain, which can cause very substantialdamage and stoppage of the machine over a long period of time. This is afurther aspect of unreliable operation which cannot be tolerated inmachines which are in use at the present time.

The aim of the invention is to provide a fastening device which is notattended by the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known systemreferred-to in the foregoing.

To this end and in accordance with the invention, the fastening deviceis constituted by a coupling member comprising two elements slidablymounted within the ends of two successive supporting tubes and joinedtogether by a connecting element, one portion of the said member whichprojects from the extremities of the said supporting tubes being engagedon extensions of the pivot-pins of two links of the corresponding chainwhile a detachable locking member engaged on the said portion of thecoupling member forms an axial distancepiece between the end faces ofthe extremities of the said supporting tubes and the outer face of thecorresponding chain link.

The design which has just been outlined offers a whole series ofadvantages and, in particular:

a. The engagement of the coupling member within the supporting tubesmakes it possible to dispense with the longitudinal fastening slot inthese tubes, thus avoiding the need for a long and delicate machiningoperation and for rejection of parts as a result of inaccuratepositioning of the said slot since this latter no longer exists. Thecost price of supporting tubes is therefore appreciably reduced.

b. By reason of the fact that the coupling members are engaged over thelink-pins of the driving chain, provision need no longer be made forspecially designed and consequently very costly chain-links as wasnecessarily the case up to the present time; on the contrary, the entirechain is made up of very inexpensive components of standard type.

c. Since the connection between the supporting tubes.

and the driving chains is provided by means of coupling members and nolonger by means of sets of parts riveted on the said chains, it has beenpossible to eliminate all riveting operations. The result therebyachieved is, on the one hand, a substantial reduction in cost price ofan apron having flexible lips and, on the other hand, the removal of anydanger of breakdown resulting from low strength, and even of failure ofriveted joints.-

d. The number of parts, and in particular special parts, which arerequired for this fastening system is very small and the assembly isconsequently simple, inexpensive and reliable.

e. By reason of the fact that the coupling members engage directly overthe link-pins of the driving chains, the stresses applied to the chainsby the flexible fiberprocessing elements are also transmitted directlyto the said link-pins, with the result that the chains and all theancillary elements are caused to work under the best possibleconditions, that any danger of breakdown or damaging of intermediatecomponents is prevented and that a higher degree of operational safetyis therefore conferred on the assembly.

f. The members which serve to lock the supporting tubes with respect tothe driving chains do not permit any displacement of any partswhatsoever, with the result that the assembly is always securely lockedin position, thereby ensuring a high degree of reliability of themachine.

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from a perusalof the following description and from a study of the accompanyingdrawings which show by way of non-lirnitative example one embodiment ofa device according to the invention for fixing a tube which supportsflexible elements for processing textile fiber.

In these drawings:

FIG. I is a partially exploded view in perspective of an assemblyconsisting of two flexible elements which are fastened to their drivingchains by means of a device according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are transverse sectional views taken respectively alongthe planes 11-11 and IIIIH of FIG.

The two flexible elements 1, 2 are of the type described in the Americanpatent application cited in the foregoing and are accordinglyconstituted in each case by a tubular flexible member which is flattenedin such a manner that its cross-section has a shape which is close tothat of a figure 8 and consequently determines two hollow lobes, one ofwhich is a fiberprocessing lobe as shown in the drawing. The other lobeis a fastening lobe and is inserted through a longitudinal mounting slot3, 4 formed respectively in a supporting tube 5, 6, said lobe beingmaintained applied against the internal wall of said tube, for exampleby means of a locking rod (not shown) which is housed in the bottom ofthe said fastening lobe. It is readily apparent that, in order that theflexible element should be retained within the tube, the width of thelongitudinal slot of the said tube must be smaller than the externaldiameter of the fastening lobe fitted with its locking rod.

The two tubes 5 and 6 are of slightly greater length than the flexibleelements 1 and 2 which are carried by these latter, with the result thatthe tube extremities are left free and can conveniently be attached tolinks such as 8, 8A which form part of two chains for driving the saidflexible elements.

The invention is directed to means for fastening the ends of the tubeson the said chain links. With this objective, provision is made foridentical means at both ends respectively of the said tubes and the samecomponents are designated by the same reference numerals but followed bythe index A in the case of the components shown on the right-hand sideof the figure.

Each fastening device comprises a coupling member 11 constituted in thisexample by a rectangular metal plate which is suitably bent so as toform two resilient clips 12, 13 of substantially cylindrical shape, thesaid clips being capable of sliding against the internal cylindricalsurfaces of the corresponding extremities of the tubes 5 and 6respectively and joined together by means of an element formed by thecentral portion 14 of the said plate. At least that arm of each clipwhich is joined to the connecting element 14 passes through thelongitudinal slot 3 or 4 of the corresponding tube (see also FIG. 2).

By reason of the inherent elasticity of the material (metal or plasticmaterial, for example) which forms the said coupling member, the twoclips 12, 13 are constrained to open and are applied in contact madeunder pressure against the internal faces of the tubes, thereby ensuringan assembly without play. Moreover, the width of the clips in the neckedportions thereof is substantially equal to the width of the tube slot,with the result that the said tubes cannot rotate with respect to thesaid coupling member and consequently with respect to each other. Thelink-pins of the driving chain 8 are provided with extensions 17, 18having a diameter which is substantially equal to the internal diameterof each clip l2, 13 in order that the clip 11 may be caused to slidefrom the position shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 1 towards aposition in which the said clip is partially engaged over the twoextensions 17 and 18 of the link-pins as shown in the case of the otherclip 11A in the right-hand portion of the same figure. A correctassembly is obtained by engaging each clip 11, for example to a distancecorresponding to one-half of its length over the link-pin extensionswhile the other half of its length remains engaged within each tube 5and 6.

The tubes are therefore already secured to the corresponding chainlinks; however, during operation, the coupling members 11 and 11A mightbe liable in some cases to move towards each other until they escapefrom the link-pin extensions, thus resulting in dislocation of theassembly.

It is therefore important to lock the coupling member 1 l in the axialdirection. To this end, provision is made for a detachable lockingmember 22 having a substantially C-shaped cross-section (see also FIG. 3which shows the corresponding member 22A) and formed, for example, ofcut-out and bent metal or alternatively of plastic material. The twoarms of the said member are resilient by virtue of the inherent natureof the material which constitutes this member and engage over the twoopposite portions of the external cylindrical surfaces of the two clips12 and 13 exactly between, on the one hand, the end faces of thecorresponding extremities of the two tubes 5 and 6 and, on the otherhand, the face 24 of the corresponding chain link 8. The two lockingmembers 22, 22A therefore constitute distance-pieces which ensurepositive axial positioning of the tubes between the two chain links 8,8A. Provision is also made for resilient axial interlocking between thecoupling member 11 and the locking member 22 which is constituted inthis example by a lug 26 formed in the intermediate portion of thelocking member 22 and capable of engaging in a recess or opening 23 ofthe connecting element 14 of the coupling member 11. In the left-handportion of FIG. 1, there are shown separately the precise structures ofthe lug 26 and of the opening 23 whereas the right-hand portion showsthe manner in which the lug is engaged in the opening and ensures axiallocking of the coupling member 11A.

The mode of assembly is readily apparent: the two coupling members 11and 11A are engaged in axial sliding motion within the two extremitiesof one pair of equipped tubes 5, 6. The assembly is presented in frontof the extensions such as l7, 18 of the two pins of two links 8, 8Awhich form part of the two driving chains,

the two coupling members 11 and 11A are caused to slide outwards untilthey come into contact with the outer faces such as the face 24 of thetwo chain links, and the two locking members 22, 22A are placed inposition by exerting pressure in the direction of the two arrows f. Theassembly is then in readiness for operation.

In order to carry out disassembly, the reverse operations are performedin the reverse order.

The advantages of this system have been set forth in detail in theforegoing description and need not be discussed further.

The invention is clearly not limited to the embodiment which has beendescribed with reference to the drawings and which has been given solelyby way of example; depending on the applications which are contemplated,modifications can accordingly be made in this embodiment without therebydeparting either from the scope or the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for fastening the longitudinally split ends of supportingtubes for textile fiber control elements onto driving chains the linksof which are articulated on pins formed with extensions, wherein saiddevice comprises a coupling member having two elements slidably mountedwithin the ends of two successive supporting 'tubes, a connectingelement joining said two slidable elements, said slidable elementshaving one portion projecting from the extremities of said supportingtubes and engaged on said extensions of two link pins of thecorresponding driving chain, and a detachable locking member engaged onsaid coupling member and forming an axial distance piece between the endfaces of the extremities of said supporting tubes and the outer face ofthe corresponding chain link.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said coupling member and saiddetachable locking member are fitted with associated elements for axialinterlocking.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said axial interlockingelement of said coupling member is located on said connecting element ofsaid member.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said associated axialinterlocking elements are constituted respectively by a projectingportion and a recess.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said detachable locking memberis a shaped resilient clip having a substantially C-shapedcross-section.

1. A device for fastening the longitudinally split ends of supportingtubes for textile fiber control eleMents onto driving chains the linksof which are articulated on pins formed with extensions, wherein saiddevice comprises a coupling member having two elements slidably mountedwithin the ends of two successive supporting tubes, a connecting elementjoining said two slidable elements, said slidable elements having oneportion projecting from the extremities of said supporting tubes andengaged on said extensions of two link pins of the corresponding drivingchain, and a detachable locking member engaged on said coupling memberand forming an axial distance piece between the end faces of theextremities of said supporting tubes and the outer face of thecorresponding chain link.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein saidcoupling member and said detachable locking member are fitted withassociated elements for axial interlocking.
 3. A device according toclaim 2, wherein said axial interlocking element of said coupling memberis located on said connecting element of said member.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said associated axial interlockingelements are constituted respectively by a projecting portion and arecess.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said detachablelocking member is a shaped resilient clip having a substantiallyC-shaped cross-section.